Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)

Switching to the HSMP
HSMP Quick Point Calculator
MBA Entry into the HSMP

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) was set up on 28 January 2002 to give talented people with skills that are in demand in the UK the opportunity to contribute to the success of the British economy. The Programme is a points based system that qualifies applicants on the basis of Age, Qualifications, Earning potential, UK Experience and English language ability. The HSMP is a popular route to enter and work in the UK as it provides the following benefits:

• You have the right to look for work or conduct any business as long as you do not rely on public funds
• You do not depend on an employer or need an employer to live/work in the UK
• You are not restricted to one employer and can work any number of hours
• The HSMP can lead to Permanent Residency and eventually to citizenship after 5 years of continuous employment without relying on public funds
• HSMP provides a 2 year visa that can be extended by another 3 years through an HSMP extension for Further Leave to Remain (FLR)

Switching to the HSMP

Can I switch to the HSMP?

You can switch to the HSMP Visa if you are from a non-EEA Country and have leave to stay in the UK as one of the following 

• Work permit holder (excluding TWES and SBS)
• Post graduate student with a degree level qualification from the UK
• Postgraduate doctor or a postgraduate dentist or trainee general practitioner
• Working holidaymaker
• Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme participant
• Innovator
• Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme participant; with the consent of their sponsor where appropriate.

Other than people who fall into the above categories switching is not possible except for in exceptional circumstances such as it being unduly harsh to return to your own country.

Other candidates in the UK who want to apply for the HSMP must return to their own country to make their application as their FLR (IED) application will be refused.

As with a normal HSMP application it is possible to make the application personally, but it is recommended that you use a professional immigration service such as iEffect in order to improve your chances of success.

iEffect will ensure you follow the correct application procedures, include supporting documentation is in place and follow your switching application through to completion.

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HSMP Quick Point Calculator

In order to qualify for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme HSMP you need 75 points scored according to the following categories.  

1. Age Assessment
2. Qualifications
3. Earning Power
4. UK Experience

Other Requirements

5. English Language requirement
6. Other requirements

HSMP Age Assessment - 20 points (maximum)

Age at date of application

Age                              Points

27 or under                  20
28 or 29                       10
30 or 31                       5
32 and Over                 0

HSMP Points for Qualifications -    50 points (maximum)

Qualification                 Points

PhD                             50
Masters Degree            35
Bachelors Degree         30
None of above             0

HSMP Points for Earning Power -  45 points(maximum)

Country Earning Band Tables

Band A Countries

Andorra; Aruba; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Bermuda; Canada; Cayman Islands; Channel Islands; Denmark; Finland; France; French Polynesia; Germany; Gibraltar; Guam; Hong Kong (Province of China); Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Kuwait; Liechtenstein; Luxembourg; Monaco; Netherlands; Norway; Qatar; San Marino; Singapore; Sweden; Switzerland; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States of America; Vatican.

Previous earnings (£)      Points

16,000+                                   5
18,000+                                   10
20,000+                                   15
23,000+                                   20
26,000+                                   25
29,000+                                   30
32,000+                                   35
35,000+                                   40
40,000+                                   45

Band B countries

American Samoa; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Bahamas; Bahrain; Barbados; Botswana; Brunei Darussalam; Chile; Costa Rica; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Estonia; Faroe Islands; Greece; Greenland; Grenada; Hungary; Israel; Korea (South); Latvia; Lebanon; Libya; Macao, (Province of China); Malaysia; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Netherlands Antilles; New Caledonia; New Zealand; Northern Mariana Islands; Oman; Palau; Panama; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Saudi Arabia; Seychelles; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; Taiwan (Province of China); Trinidad and Tobago; Uruguay; Venezuela; Virgin Islands.

Previous earnings (£)      Points

7,000+                                     5
8,000+                                     10
9,000+                                     15
10,000+                                   20
11,500+                                   25
12,500+                                   30
14,000+                                   35
15,500+                                   40
17,500+                                   45

Band C countries

Albania; Algeria; Belarus; Belize; Bolivia; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Brazil; Bulgaria; Cape Verde; China (Peoples Republic of); Colombia; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Fiji; Gabon; Guatemala; Honduras; Iran; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Lithuania; Macedonia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Morocco; Namibia; Nauru; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Romania; Russian Federation; Samoa; South Africa; St Vincent & The Grenadines; Suriname; Swaziland; Syrian Arab Republic; Thailand; Tonga; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Vanuatu; West Bank and Gaza.

Previous earnings (£)      Points

5,000+                                     5
5,600+                                     10
6,300+                                     15
7,200+                                     20
8,100+                                     25
9,100+                                     30
10,000+                                   35
11,000+                                   40
12,500+                                   45

Band D countries

Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Benin; Bhutan; Cameroon; Comoros; Congo (Republic of); Cote d'Ivoire; Cuba; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Gambia; Georgia; Guinea; Guyana; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Iraq; Kenya; Kiribati; Lesotho; Mauritania; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Myanmar; Nicaragua; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Senegal; Serbia; Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Timor L'Este (East Timor); Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe.

Previous earnings (£)      Points

3,000+                                     5
3,400+                                     10
3,800+                                     15
4,300+                                     20
4,900+                                     25
5,500+                                     30
6,000+                                     35
6,600+                                     40
7,500+                                     45

Band E countries

Afghanistan; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Congo, (Democratic Republic of); Chad; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Ghana; Guinea-Bissau; Korea (North); Kygyz Republic; Lao; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mayotte; Mozambique; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Sierra Leone; Somalia; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda.

Previous earnings (£)      Points scores

1,400+                                     5
1,600+                                     10
1,800+                                     15
2,000+                                     20
2,300+                                     25
2,550+                                     30
2,800+                                     35
3,100+                                     40
3,500+                                     45

UK Experience - 5 Points (Maximum)

You can claim 5 points if you have previous experience of living in the UK if either:

• You have successfully scored points under the previous earnings category and your earnings were in the UK

or

• You have studied and graduated at bachelors degree level or higher in full-time or higher education in the UK, or at a UK-based overseas educational institution, for at least one full academic year.

HSMP English Language Requirement

You will require one of the following to fulfill the English language requirement.

• IELTS Certificate to at least level 6                  
• Bachelors Degree that was taught in English      
• English Language certificate equivalent to IETLS Level 6          

Other HSMP Requirements

As well as gaining enough points under this category you will need to meet the following requirements.

• You can continue to work in your chosen field in the UK. If necessary, you will need to show relevant qualifications and professional membership to work in certain occupations in the UK.
• You can support yourself without recourse to public funds - this can be demonstrated on the basis of either savings or earning potential
• You intend to make the UK your main home
• You have either never been made bankrupt or are considered to be a discharged bankrupt.
• You have never been convicted of any criminal offences.

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MBA entry into the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme HSMP

An MBA from one of the following Recognised Institutions will provide the 75 Points required to qualify for the HSMP.

• Ashridge (UK)
• Australian Graduate School of Management (AUS)
• Babson College : Olin (USA)
• Boston University School of Management (USA)
• Bradford School Of Management/Nimbas (UK/NTH/GER)
• Carnegie Mellon University (USA)
• Ceibs (CHN)
• City University: Cass (UK)
• Columbia Business school (USA)
• Cornell University: Johnson (USA)
• Cranfield School of Management (UK)
• Dartmouth College: Tuck (USA)
• Duke University: Fuqua (USA)
• Emory University: Goizueta (USA)
• Georgetown University: McDonough (USA)
• Harvard Business School (USA)
• IMD (SWI)
• Insead (FR/SING)
• Instituto de Empressa (SP)
• Lese Business School (SP)
• London Business School (UK)
• Manchester Business School (UK)
• Melbourne Business School (AUS)
• MIT:Sloane(USA)
• New York University: Stern (USA)
• North Western: Kellogg (USA)
• Rice University: Jones (USA)
• Rotterdam School of Management (Neth)
• SDA Bocconi (IT)
• Stanford University (USA)
• UC Berkley: Hass (USA)
• UCLA: Anderson (USA)
• Universiteit Nyenrode (NTH)
• University College Dublin: Smurfit (IRE)
• University of Cambridge: Judge (UK)
• University of Chicago (USA)
• University of Maryland: Smith (USA)
• University of Michigan (USA)
• University of North Carolina: Kenan-Flagler (USA)
• University of Oxford: Said (UK)
• University of Pennsylvania: Wharton (USA)
• University of Rochester: Simon (USA)
• University of Southern California: Marshall (USA)
• University of Strathclyde (UK)
• University of Toronto: Rothman (CAN)
• University of Virginia Darden (USA)
• University of Western Ontario: Ivey (USA)
• Vanderbilt University: Owen (USA)
• Warwick Business School (UK)
• Yale School of Management (USA)